Validation and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Reaction Index (RI) for The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 Self Report for Children and Adolescents

Children worldwide are at risk of experiencing psychological trauma. In addition, one in every four children experiences major traumatic events such as domestic, school, or social violence, abuse, vehicle accidents, serious medical diseases, terrorist incidents, and war. These difficult experiences increase the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in children. It is reported that approximately 30% of children who have been exposed to trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Although it is sometimes difficult to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, it is important to detect symptoms of PTSD in children and adolescents early. Many internalizing and externalizing symptoms occur in PTSD; There may be separation anxiety, shame, guilt, low tolerance, overstimulation, impulsivity, outbursts of anger, hostility, defiance, aggression, irritability, and mood changes. Therefore, early evaluation of trauma experience and post-traumatic symptoms in children and adolescents seems important.